Crab trap manufacturing method

ABSTRACT

A crab trap manufacturing method that decreases production time, lowers cost and provides a safer trap. The trap wire is pre-cut in the proper dimensions. Two larger pieces are bent into a square U shape to form the main body. A baffle piece for the inside of the trap is cut through the middle and the edges are bent. A bait box is attached to the baffle. The baffle and bait box are placed inside the body and the edges of the baffle are connected to the body. The two bent pieces forming the body are then connected to each other. Entrances are made in the side walls of the body and funnels are installed in each hole. Since the wire to make the trap is pre-cut, the traps are easily and quickly constructed, therefore production costs are lowered and production time is reduced.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a crab trap. More specifically, thepresent invention discloses a method of efficiently manufacturing a crabtrap that decreases production time and lowers production cost.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In the commercial crab industry, crab traps are utilized to capture livecrabs. The conventional crab traps or crab pots are typically round andhave a flat top and bottom. A one-way entrance in the side allows a crabto enter the trap but doesn't allow it to exit. A holder containing baitis placed inside the trap for attracting the crabs.

Unfortunately, while these traps are effective, the manufacturing costsare high and the production process is slow and time consuming. Thesecrab traps are manually manufactured by cutting coated metal wire fromlarge rolls of wire.

However, after the crab trap is assembled, the areas where the wire wascut is no longer protected by the coating. As a result, the exposedmetal can easily prick the hands or bodies of the fishermen that areworking with the traps. These injuries cost fishermen time and money andare inconvenient and unhealthy.

Therefore, there is need for an efficient method of manufacturing a crabtrap that lowers production costs, reduces production time, and providesa safer trap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve these and other advantages and in order to overcome thedisadvantages of the conventional method in accordance with the purposeof the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, the presentinvention provides a method of efficiently manufacturing a crab trapthat decreases production time and lowers production cost and provides asafer trap.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a manufacturingmethod for a crab trap that makes a safer trap. Initially, wire is cutinto three pieces for each trap. The wire is then galvanized to preventrusting or corrosion. The wire is then welded to its proper shape. Thenthe pre-cut pieces are coated with a protective coating such as PVCliquid. This coating completely covers the wire and in particular therough or sharp edges where the wire was cut.

As a result of coating the wire after it is cut, fishermen who work withthe traps are protected from being poked by the sharp edges. Thereforethey are able to work longer without injury or discomfort.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a manufacturingmethod for a crab trap that is faster and easier to construct. Since thewire is pre-cut in the proper dimensions, construction of the trap isvery simple. Basically, the trap consists of three pieces. Two largerpieces are used to form the main body of the trap. The remaining pieceis used to make a baffle for the inside of the trap.

The two larger pieces are bent into a square U shape. The piece for thebaffle is then cut through the middle and the edges are bent. Note, thebaffle piece may also be pre-cut before coating. A bait box is thenattached to the baffle. The baffle with attached bait box is placedinside the body of the trap and the edges of the baffle are connected tothe body. The two bent pieces forming the body are then connected toeach other.

The baffle, bait box, and body can be connected by various means, suchas hog rings, c rings, or metal rings.

Finally, depending upon the requirements of the fisherman, theappropriate number of entrances are made in the side walls of the body.For example, one to four holes can be made in the sides and funnels areinstalled in each hole. The funnels allow crabs to enter the trap but donot allow the crabs to exit.

Since the wire to make the trap is pre-cut, the traps are easily andquickly constructed, therefore production costs are lowered andproduction time is reduced.

These and other objectives of the present invention will become obviousto those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the followingdetailed description of preferred embodiments.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended toprovide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention. In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating the three piece pre-cut wire accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating the bent three piece pre-cut wireaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a completed crab trapaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a drawing illustrating a completed crab trap according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of crab trap manufactureaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of crab trap manufactureaccording to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating the pre-cut crab trap according to anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of crab trap manufactureaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in thedrawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

Refer to FIG. 1, which is a drawing illustrating the three piece pre-cutwire according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the crab trap of the present invention basicallycomprises three pieces. The baffle piece 10 is the smallest of the threepieces. The other two pieces are a top piece 20 and a bottom piece 30.

The wire mesh size can be selected according to requirements, forexample, a 1½″×1½″ mesh. The size of the trap can also be selected, forexample an 8 mesh to 12 mesh high trap.

After the wire is cut, the three pieces are galvanized to preventrusting and corrosion. The wire is then welded to its proper shape.Finally the three pieces to make one trap are coated with a protectivecoating such as PVC liquid.

Refer to FIG. 2, which is a drawing illustrating the bent three piecepre-cut wire according to an embodiment of the present invention.

An advantage of the method of the present invention is that the threepre-cut pieces can be formed at a remote site or factory. After forming,the wire can be shipped to an assembly factory. Due to the flat natureof the wire pieces, shipping costs are reduced and transportation ismore convenient.

Since the wire is pre-cut in the proper dimensions, construction of thetrap is very simple. After the wire arrives at the assembly factory, thetop piece 20 and the bottom piece 30 are bent into square U shapes withcorners at about 90 degrees. The top piece 20 and the bottom piece 30are used to form the main body of the trap. The remaining piece is abaffle piece 10 that is used to make a baffle for the inside of thetrap.

Refer to FIG. 3A, which is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating acompleted crab trap and to FIG. 3B, which is a drawing illustrating acompleted crab trap according to an embodiment of the present invention.

After the top piece 20 and the bottom piece 30 are bent, the bafflepiece 10 is cut through the middle and the edges are bent. A bait box 40is then attached to the baffle piece 10. The baffle 10 with attachedbait box 40 is placed inside the top piece 20 and bottom piece 30 of thetrap and the edges of the baffle 10 are connected to the body. The toppiece 20 and bottom piece 30 forming the body are then connected to eachother.

The baffle 10, bait box 40, and body 20,30 can be connected by variousmeans, such as hog rings, c rings, or metal rings.

Finally, depending upon the requirements of the fisherman, theappropriate number of entrances are made in the side walls of the body20, 30. For example, one to four holes can be made in the sides andfunnels 50 are installed in each hole. The funnels 50 allow crabs toenter the trap 5 but do not allow the crabs to exit.

A door 60 is also made in one side of the trap 5 to allow easy removalof the captured crabs. The door is removably secured by a flexible cord70.

Since the wire to make the trap 5 is pre-cut, the traps 5 are easily andquickly constructed, therefore production costs are lowered andproduction time is reduced.

Refer to FIG. 4, which is a flowchart illustrating a method of crab trapmanufacture according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In Step 410, the first piece of wire is bent into a square U shape. InStep 420, the second piece of wire is bent into a square U shape. Thesetwo pieces form the body of the trap.

The baffle is made by cutting through the third piece and bent intoshape in Step 430. In Step 440, the bait box is formed and in Step 450the bait box is attached to the baffle.

The baffle with attached bait box is then placed in the body of the trapand fastened at the borders in Step 460. In Step 470, the first andsecond pieces are connected to form the body of the trap.

Finally, in Step 480, holes are cut in the sides of the body and funnelsare installed in each hole.

As described above, the manufacturing method of the present invention isvery simple and fast.

Refer to FIG. 5, which is a flowchart illustrating a method of crab trapmanufacture according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Alternatively, the manufacturing method of the present invention can beperformed in one location or factory. In this situation, the productionmethod is as shown in FIG. 5.

Initially, wire is cut into three pieces for each trap. In Step 500, thefirst piece of wire is measured and cut, in Step 501, the second pieceof wire is measured and cut, and in Step 502, the third piece of wire ismeasured and cut.

The wire is then galvanized to prevent rusting or corrosion in Step 503.In Step 504, the wire is then welded to its proper shape.

In Step 505, the pre-cut pieces are coated with a protective coatingsuch as PVC liquid. This coating completely covers the wire and inparticular the rough or sharp edges where the wire was cut.

The two larger pieces are bent into a square U shape. The first piece ofwire is bent in Step 510, and the second piece of wire is bent in Step520. In Step 530, the piece for the baffle is then cut through themiddle and the edges are bent. A bait box is formed in Step 540 and thenthe bait box is attached to the baffle in Step 550.

The baffle with attached bait box is placed inside the body of the trapand the edges of the baffle are connected to the body, in Step 560. Thetwo bent pieces forming the body are then connected to each other inStep 570.

The baffle, bait box, and body can be connected by various means, suchas hog rings, c rings, or metal rings.

Finally in Step 580, the appropriate number of entrances are made in theside walls of the body and funnels are installed in each hole. Thefunnels allow crabs to enter the trap but do not allow the crabs toexit.

Since the wire to make the trap is pre-cut, the traps are easily andquickly constructed, therefore production costs are lowered andproduction time is reduced.

Refer to FIG. 6, which is a drawing illustrating the pre-cut crab trapaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment of the present invention, all major components ofthe crab trap are pre-cut. This allows for optimal convenience and speedduring construction.

The baffle piece 10 is cut in the center so that the baffle can easilybe formed during assembly by bending the inside of the baffle piece 10.Additionally, openings 25 are made in the top 20 and bottom 30 pieces.

The funnels 40 and bait box 50 are also pre-cut to the correct size. Thebait box piece 50 further comprises a top tab 51 and a bottom 52. Duringassembly, the top tab 51 is simply bent down and the rest of the baitbox body 50 is bent to form the four sided box. The bottom 52 is simplyattached as a bottom door of the bait box.

After the pieces are cut, they are galvanized and welded. Finally, allthe pieces are coated with a protective coating.

This embodiment has several advantages. Firstly, all the main componentsare pre-cut so that assembly is fast and simple. Secondly, all the maincomponents are coated after all cuts have been made. This ensures thatall rough edges are coated and fishermen are protected. Thirdly, allpieces remain flat until assembly so that shipping costs are reduced andtransportation is convenient.

Refer to FIG. 7, which is a flowchart illustrating a method of crab trapmanufacture according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In order to manufacture the crab trap as illustrated by the componentsin FIG. 6, the method as illustrated in FIG. 7 is followed.

In Step 701, the baffle piece wire is measured and cut. In step 702, thetop piece wire is measured and cut and in Step 703, the bottom piece ismeasured and cut. The bait box body and bottom are measured and cut inStep 704. Then, in Step 705, the funnel pieces are measured and cut.

The baffle-to-be is cut in the center of the baffle piece in Step 706.In Step 707, the openings are cut in the top and bottom pieces.

Next, in Step 708, all the pieces are galvanized and in Step 709 welded.Finally, the pre-production stage is completed by coating all the piecesin protective coating is Step 710.

At this point, all the components can be stored for inventory or shippedto an assembly location.

For assembly, the top piece is bent in Step 711 and the bottom piece isbent in Step 712. The baffle is formed in the baffle piece by bendingthe inside sections of the baffle piece in Step 713.

In step 714, the bait box is formed by bending down the top tab andbending the sides of the body. The bottom is attached to the bait boxbody so that is can swing open like a door. The completed bait box isthen attached to the baffle in Step 715.

The baffle piece with attached bait box is then placed inside the topand bottom pieces and fastened in Step 716.

In Step 717, the top and bottom pieces are connected to form the trapbody.

Finally, in Step 718, the funnels are formed by rolling the materialinto a funnel shape and attaching them to the openings in the body.

As can be seen by the above description, the main components are pre-cutso that assembly is fast and simple. Additionally, all the maincomponents are coated after all cuts have been made thereby ensuringthat all rough edges are coated and fishermen are protected.Furthermore, all pieces remain flat until assembly so that shippingcosts are reduced and transportation is convenient.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the present inventionwithout departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

For example, the ordering of different production steps can be modifiedto meet requirements.

In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present inventioncover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fallwithin the scope of the invention and its equivalent.

1. A crab trap manufacturing method comprising: bending a top piece intoshape; bending a bottom piece into shape; cutting and bending a bafflepiece; forming a bait box; attaching the bait box to the baffle piece;attaching the baffle piece to an inside of the top and bottom pieces;connecting the top and bottom pieces; forming at least one opening inthe top and bottom pieces; and attaching a funnel to the at least oneopening.
 2. The crab trap manufacturing method of claim 1, furthercomprising: measuring and cutting the top piece, bottom piece, and thebaffle piece before bending.
 3. The crab trap manufacturing method ofclaim 1, further comprising: galvanizing the top piece, the bottompiece, and the baffle piece before bending.
 4. The crab trapmanufacturing method of claim 1, further comprising: coating the toppiece, the bottom piece, and the baffle piece with protective coatingbefore bending.
 5. The crab trap manufacturing method of claim 4,wherein the protective coating is PVC liquid.
 6. The crab trapmanufacturing method of claim 1, wherein the attaching and connecting isachieved using hog rings, c rings, or metal clips.
 7. A crab trapmanufacturing method comprising: measuring and cutting a top piece;measuring and cutting a bottom piece; measuring and cutting a bafflepiece; galvanizing the top piece, the bottom piece, and the bafflepiece; coating the top piece, the bottom piece, and the baffle piecewith protective coating; bending the top piece into shape; bending thebottom piece into shape; cutting and bending a baffle in the bafflepiece; forming a bait box; attaching the bait box to the baffle piece;attaching the baffle piece to an inside of the top and bottom pieces;connecting the top and bottom pieces; forming at least one opening inthe top and bottom pieces; and attaching a funnel to the at least oneopening.
 8. The crab trap manufacturing method of claim 7, wherein theprotective coating is PVC liquid.
 9. The crab trap manufacturing methodof claim 7, wherein the attaching and connecting is achieved using hogrings, c rings, or metal clips.
 10. The crab trap manufacturing methodof claim 7, further comprising: storing all of the pieces in a warehouseor shipping all of the pieces to another location after coating.
 11. Acrab trap manufacturing method comprising: measuring and cutting a toppiece; measuring and cutting a bottom piece; measuring and cutting abaffle piece; measuring and cutting a bait box piece; measuring andcutting funnel pieces; cutting a middle section of the baffle piece;forming openings in the top and bottom pieces; galvanizing the toppiece, the bottom piece, the baffle piece, the bait box piece, and thefunnel pieces; coating the top piece, the bottom piece, the bafflepiece, the bait box piece, and the funnel pieces with protectivecoating; bending the top piece into shape; bending the bottom piece intoshape; bending a baffle in the baffle piece; bending the bait box pieceto form a bait box; attaching the bait box to the baffle piece;attaching the baffle piece to an inside of the top and bottom pieces;connecting the top and bottom pieces; forming funnels from the funnelpieces; and attaching a funnel to each opening.
 12. The crab trapmanufacturing method of claim 11, wherein the protective coating is PVCliquid.
 13. The crab trap manufacturing method of claim 11, wherein theattaching and connecting is achieved using hog rings, c rings, or metalclips.
 14. The crab trap manufacturing method of claim 11, furthercomprising: storing all of the pieces in a warehouse or shipping all ofthe pieces to another location after coating.